September 5, 2003 -- Two of my favorite tour operators are having a little competition for visitors to Hong Kong this fall and winter, each with prices starting at just $499, including roundtrip airfare. That's the kind of price war we love here at Frommers.com! One operator is offering equally affordable combos to Shanghai and Beijing as well.
You have until September 15, 2003, to book the five-day and three-night trip offered by Pacific Delight Tours, good for travel all the way through March 31, 2004. The price includes airfare to Hong Kong from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Honolulu and New York (JFK) on United Airlines. Add-on airfare from 27 other major UAL gateways is just $120. If Hong Kong doesn't appeal, identical packages at identical prices are available to either Shanghai or Beijing. These packages are limited and subject to availability.
Daily departures to Hong Kong allow you to stay at the superior first-class Newton Hotel between January 1 and March 27 at the $499 price, though other hotels are available, including the deluxe Harbour Plaza and New World Renaissance, or the superior first-class Miramar Hotel. Prices range up to $868 before taxes and security fees.
Shanghai rates run from $499 to $698 (depending on your hotel), and flights depart on Mondays only. There are Sunday and Wednesday departures to Beijing, with prices in the range of $499 to $748.
The packages include roundtrip air, lodging, local bilingual guides, sightseeing, daily breakfast and some lunches (except in Hong Kong), transfers, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges, and flight insurance. You can stay longer with seven-day packages starting from $588 for Hong Kong, $648 for Beijing and $658 for Shanghai.
Contact Pacific Delight at 800/221-7179 or 212/818-1781 or by visiting www.pacificdelighttours.com.
You have until October 28, 2003, to book with Go Today for its $499 package to Hong Kong for travel between December 26, 2003 and March 17, 2004. They'll put you up at the Newton Hotel for that low base price. The package includes transport on an available air carrier from San Francisco or Seattle, roundtrip hotel/airport transfers, five nights in the hotel, a half-day city tour, hotel taxes and service charges. Some blackout dates apply, mostly around Christmas or the first week of January. Add-on airfares from dozens of other cities are available, starting as low as $50 out of New York's three airports or several in California, to $250 for less-populated areas.
For travel from November 16 to December 25, prices jump $50 setting the base price at a still-affordable $549 before taxes and fees.
All prices mentioned are per person in a double room, with airport taxes and fees extra. Contact Go-Today at www.gotoday.com or (for an extra $20 fee) at 425/487-9632.